Ruwini and Suranga come 'bullseye' with perfect scores
Top shooters of all levels were recognised for their achievements in 2017 at the annual Awards Ceremony of National Shooting Sports Federation (NSSF) of Sri Lanka, held at the Sports Ministry Auditorium in Colombo on Thursday. Among the top events that were conducted last year, the NSSF earm a rke d its National Championship, Trap and Skeet Nationals where renowned shooters were rewarded.
At the NSSF National Championship held at the Naval Range in Welisara in November, top shooters Ruwini Abeymanne and Suranga Fernando earned the main attraction. Incidentally both represented Cambrian Shooting Club as Abeymanne went on to win the Women Air Pistol and Sports Pistol events.
Fernando, one of the favourite shooters of the Cambrians SC, had to be satisfied with the solitary win of the Free Pistol event, but he was well beaten in the Standard Pistol and Air Pistol events. The Standard Pistol event was won by Gamini Walgama while Niranjan Dissanayaka won the Air Pistol event, both of Sri Lanka Police.
The Mixed event for Air Rifle and Air Pistol was conducted for the first time and Abeymanne and Fernando emerged champions. Notably the pairing of Akila Vithanage of Royal College and Natasha Handelage of St. Bridget's Convent was placed second ahead of the much fancied and experienced shooters. The Mixed Air Rifle event was won by Chanidu Senanayake of Maliyadeva College and Amanda Amerasinghe of Devi Balika Vidyalaya.
In the Shot Gun events, shooters from Negombo Rifle Club ( NRC), Colombo Clay Target Shooting Club (CCTSC) and both men and women from Air Force SC took the major share of accolades. Airman Sandakelum Ranasinghe claimed the Skeet title while Mohan Gilbert of NRC Trap championship while Tharushi Mekala of Air Force claimed the win of the Women's championship in Skeet.
In the Junior/Youth segment Akila Sithumina Vidanage of Royal College went on to win the Air Pistol event. Akila is a member of the National Youth Shooting pool and another of its members, Natasha Handelage of St. Bridget's Convent, won the Girls' Air Pistol event.
Chanidu Senanayake of Athugala Sports Shooting Club, from Maliyadeva College, claimed the Air Rifle event in the Junior/ Youth Boy's segment. Amanda Amerasinghe won its Girls' event. Both are members of the Sri Lanka Youth pool.
The NSSF revealed that is will commence the 2018 season with the Open Trap Championship scheduled to be held at the National Shotgun Range in Payagala from February 2 to 4.